TITLE GOVERNOR

Executive Orders

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR-AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 98-01

RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE AS CHIEF LIAISON TO MEXICO AND THE BORDER REGION OF TEXAS

WHEREAS, Texas and Mexico are linked by geography, sharing a 1200-mile border, the longest border between any American state and Mexico;

WHEREAS, Texas and Mexico are linked by history, with significant portions of the land now comprising Texas having once been governed by Mexico;

WHEREAS, Texas and Mexico are linked by family ties, with approximately one quarter of Texans being of Hispanic origin, most of whom are Mexican decent;

WHEREAS, Texas and Mexico are linked by culture, with many Texans speaking Spanish, enjoying Mexican food and art, and celebrating Mexican holidays like Dies y Seis and Cinco de Mayo;

WHEREAS, Texas and Mexico are linked economically, with Mexico being Texas' principal trading partner and with Texas accounting for nearly half of all American trade with Mexico; and

WHEREAS, for the foregoing reasons, Texas greatly values its relationship with Mexico and regards a friendly and cooperative relationship with Mexico as being of immense importance to Texas.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, Govenror of the State of Texas, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of this State, do hereby designate the Texas Secretary of State as

Chief Liaison to Mexico and the Border Region of Texas and charge the Secretary of duties that include, but are not limited to, the following:

Represent the Governor and the State of Texas at meetings and other events with Mexican and border leaders, and with the appropriate federal and other officials.

Arrange and facilitate meetings and other engagements between the Governor and Mexican leaders and between the Governor and border leaders.

Attend events related to Mexico and the border as appropriate or as requested.

Travel to Mexico to promote goodwill, tourism, trade, investment and other kinds of economic development as appropriate or as requested.

Otherwise to promote good relations between Texas and Mexico, and to resolve problems or explore opportunities relative to Texas and Mexico.

Any other activities incident to the foregoing or otherwise related thereto as appropriate or as requested.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: July 22, 1998

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR-AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 98-2

RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF A REGUALTORY STATUTE

WHEREAS, a state of disaster has been declared for the State of Texas caused by the severe drought; and

WHEREAS, an Emergency Disaster Proclamation was issued on July 3, 1998, and expanded and extended July 23, 1998; and

WHEREAS, Texas Government Code Section 418.016 provide that the Governor may suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business if strict compliance with the provisions would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with a disaster; and

WHEREAS, drought conditions have resulting in depleted pasture forage and hay supplies; and

WHEREAS, the suspension of certain statutory requirements will allow farmers to access hay beyond a 150-mile radius without obtaining a commercial driver's license.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, Governor of the State of Texas, under the authority vested in me and in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 418.016, do hereby suspend Texas Transportation Code Section 522.004(a)(1)(B) with the limitation that this suspension apply only to a vehicle used to transport hay.

This Executive Order shall terminate ninety (90) days for the date of signature.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: August 5, 1998

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR-AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 98-3

RELATING TO THE CRIME STOPPERS ADVISORY COUNCIL

WHEREAS, by legislative enactment the Texas Legislature created the Crime Stoppers Advisory Council, the regulation of which is codified in Chapter 414 of the Texas Government Code; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature enacted S.B. 383, 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, Section 3, provides that:

"An advisory committee as defined in Article 6252-33, Revised Statutes, as added by this Act, that exists as of September 1, 1993, is automatically abolished September 1, 1997, unless:

(1) the governing body of the agency establishes a different date under Section 8, Article 6252-33, Revised statutes; or

(2) the advisory committee has a specific duration prescribed by statute.

WHEREAS, it is unclear whether this abolition was intended to effect the Crime Stopper Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, an Attorney General's Opinion has been requested on this issue, but not yet issued; and

WHEREAS, we expect the 76th Legislature to reconsider the abolition of the Crime Stopper Advisory Council; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the State of Texas and all local crime stopper programs to continue the Crime Stoppers Advisory Council; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, Governor of the State of Texas under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the State of Texas, do hereby create an interim Crime Stoppers Advisory Council, to exist and continue under the same terms and conditions as those imposed by the Legislature until September 1, 1999.

This Executive Order shall be effective immediately and shall remain in full force and effect until modified, amended, or rescinded by me.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: August 11, 1998

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR-AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 98-4

RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF A REGULATORY STATUTE

WHEREAS, a state of disaster has been declared for the State of Texas caused by the severe drought; and

WHEREAS, an Emergency Disaster Proclamation was issued on July 3, 1998, and expanded and extended July 23, 1998; and

WHEREAS, Texas Government Code Section 418.016 provides that the Governor may suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute or rules of a state agency prescribing the procedures for conduct of state business if strict compliance with the provisions would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with a disaster; and

WHEREAS, drought conditions have resulted in depleted pasture forage and hay supplies; and

WHEREAS, the supsension of certain statutory requirements will allow farmers to access hay in sufficient quanties from persons transporting the hay over a state maintained highway using oversized vehicles.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, Governor of the State of Texas, under the authority vested in me and in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 418.016, do hereby suspend Texas Transportation Code Section 621.201(a) with the limitation that this suspension apply only to a vehicle used to transport bales of hay in addition to suspending any rules promulgated pursuant to Texas Transportation Code Sections 623.017 and 623.071(a).

This Executive Order shall terminate ninety (90) days from the date of signature

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: August 14, 1998

THE STATE OF TEXAS EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF THE GOVERNOR-AUSTIN, TEXAS, EXECUTIVE ORDER GWB 98-6

RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF REGULATORY STATUTES AND RULES

Under the provisions of the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (Chapter 418.016 of the Texas Government Code) and the Emergency Disaster Proclamation, dated, August 26, 1998, issue in response to the flooding caused by Tropical Strorm Charley, I, George W. Bush Governor of Texas do hereby suspend the application of Section 19(t) of the Manufactured Housing Standards Act, Article 5221f, Texas Revised Civil Statute and Texas Administrative Code, Title 10, Section 80.202(a)(1), relating to the imposition of fees for title transactions. This suspension is only for title transactions relating to both the temporary and ultimate disposition of manufactured homes acquired from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to the disaster. This order is being issued to ensure that existing procedures do not in any way prevent, hinder, or delay necessary action in coping with this disaster.

This order will remain in effect until rescinded or modified by me.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: October 26, 1998

Proclamations

PROCLAMATION 41-2729

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby amend and extend my July 3, 1998 Proclamation certifying that all 254 counties in the State of Texas are threatened by extreme fire hazard. This threat was caused by extreme drought and still exists statewide. Additionally, these conditions persist with impacts affecting agriculture, water systems, coupled with related health and human service concerns.

Therefore, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby proclaim the existence of such disaster and direct that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.015 of the code be implemented to meet that disaster.

In accordance with the Statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: July 24, 1998

PROCLAMATION 41-2731

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby extend my July 23, 1998 Proclamation certifying that all 254 counties in the State of Texas are threatened by high or extreme fire hazard. This threat was caused by extreme drought and still exists statewide. Additionally, these conditions persist with impacts affecting agriculture, water systems, coupled with related health and human service concerns.

Therefore, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby proclaim the existence of such disaster and direct that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.015 of the code be implemented to meet that disaster.

In accordance with the Statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: August 21, 1998

PROCLAMATION 41-2738

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby certify that severe thunderstorms, flooding and tornadoes which began on October 17, 1998 and is continuing, has caused a disaster in Bastrop, Bexar, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Colorado, Comal Dewitt, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Jackson, Karnes, Refugio, Travis, Victoria, Wharton and Wilson Counties in the State of Texas.

Therefore, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby proclaim the existence of such disaster and direct that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.015 of the code be implemented to meet that disaster.

In accordance with the Statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: October 20, 1998

PROCLAMATION 41-2739

TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, do hereby certify that severe thunderstorms, flooding and tornadoes which began on October 17, 1998 and is continuing, has caused a disaster in Bastrop, Bexar, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Colorado, Comal Dewitt, Fayette, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hays, Jackson, Karnes, Refugio, Travis, Victoria, Wharton and Wilson Counties in the State of Texas also caused a disaster in Austin, Fort Bend, Harris, Montgomery and Waller Counties.

Therefore, in accordance with the authority vested in me by Section 418.014 of the Texas Government Code, I do hereby proclaim the existence of such disaster and direct that all necessary measures both public and private as authorized under Section 418.015 of the code be implemented to meet that disaster.

In accordance with the Statutory requirements, copies of this proclamation shall be filed with the applicable authorities.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: October 21, 1998

PROCLAMATION 41-2730

TO ALL TO WHO THESE PRESENTS MAY COME:

WHEREAS, a vacancy now exists in the Texas House of Representatives in the membership of District 143, which consists of part of Harris County; and

WHEREAS, Texas Election Code Annotated, Section 203.002 (Vernon 1986) requires that a special election be ordered upon such vacancy; and

WHEREAS, Texas Election Code Annotated, Section 203.004 (Vernon 1986 and Supplement 1998) requires that, absent a finding of an emergency, the special election be held on the next uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered; and

WHEREAS, November 3, 1998 is the next such uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered; and

WHEREAS, Texas Election Code Annotated, Section 3.003 (Vernon 1986) requires the election to be ordered by proclamation of the Governor;

NOW THEREFORE, I, George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby order a special election to be held in District 143 on Tuesday, the 3rd day of November, 1998, for the purpose of electing a State Representative for District 143 to serve out the unexpired term of the Honorable Gerard Torres.

Candidates who wish to have their names placed on the special election ballot must file their applications with the Secretary of State no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, the 5th day of October, 1998.

Early voting by personal appearance shall begin on Monday, October 19, 1998 or earlier if ordered by the County Clerk of Harris County, in accordance with Texas Election Code Annotated, Section 85.001(c) (Vernon Supplemental 1998).

A copy of this order will be mailed immediately to the County Judge of Harris County, and all appropriate writs will be issued and all proper proceedings will be followed to the end that said election may be held to fill the vacancy in District 143 and its result proclaimed in accordance with law.

George W. Bush, Governor of Texas

Filed: August 11, 1998